AmCham's annual meeting: change in leadership, fresh perspectives from Garza, Callahan mark celebrated event. (Spotlight).

The AMERICAN CHAMBER OF MEXICO held its annual meeting on March 12, and the event, which attracted both businesspeople and media of the highest level, was marked by changes among leadership, friendly barbs between colleagues and competitors and an address by new U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza.

Garza's address was the highlight of the day, as the ambassador, who serves as honorary president of AMCHAM/MEXICO, shared his thoughts on the nature of the bilateral relationship, its successes and its ever-present obstacles. His presence brought out a horde of media, which essentially bum-rushed him off the elevator, as he made his way into the ballroom packed with some 350 executives.

"Y'all must have thought I can either sing or play baseball," the ambassador said to the assembled Chamber members, many of whom were hearing a Garza speech for the first time.

Light-hearted comments were the flavor of the day, although a bit of nostalgia surfaced in several of the addresses, particularly those by outgoing AMERICAN CHAMBER/MEXICO President William Meyers and an impromptu speech by retired Chamber Executive Vice President John Bruton.

Meyers, who was stepping down after two years atop the Chamber, generously thanked his colleagues--from low-level volunteers to the chairmen of the Chamber's 11 committees, whom he called "the backbone of AMCHAM'S networking and lobbying efforts."

Bruton, who was recognized for 30 years of service at the Chamber, received a rousing round of applause as he left his table on the ballroom floor to receive the certificate.

"They say these awards are for either royalty or the dead. I want to be clear that I am neither," said Bruton, who stressed the importance of voluntary leadership in a short address to the meeting.

It wasn't all peaches and plums, however, as Garza did not mince words while discussing the Iraq situation.

Clearly, this is why the media--which included representatives from all the nation's major print and television media and international Outlets--crammed into the back of the ballroom.

Garza's address came less than a week before U.S. President Bush gave Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein a 48-hour ultimatum to leave Iraq or face military action. The ambassador's comments--wedged between otherwise comfortable diplomatic speak on the benefits of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the importance of maintaining competitiveness--left some audience members wondering if the old Texas buddies had a frank phone conversation in the hours leading up to the address.

"I think few disagree that Saddam Hussein runs about as cruel a regime as can be found in the world today," Garza said, before listing the dictator's violations of U.N. resolutions.

Garza, who made his speech at a time when Mexico was on the fence with its U.N. Security Council vote, had tough words for the bickering and ineffectual international organization, saying, "The U.N. will cease to be relevant if it cannot enforce its demands."

Although Garza's comments on Iraq were the most anticipated of the day, the speakers stayed true to the purpose of the largest U.S. business organization outside of the United States. That is, they continued to push the importance of unfettered free trade, a reduced bureaucracy, streamlined regulations and fair treatment for business interests operating in Mexico.

The former Texas railroad commissioner was generous in his assessment of work at the Chamber, calling the Chamber's upcoming report on competitiveness (due out in May) "a solid piece of work."

New AMCHAM President Jim Callahan laughed when Garza said "our golf games might suffer" with the increased responsibilities of the Chamber positions, and the BankBoston director closed the event with an optimistic look ahead.

"I am sure that with its highly dedicated leadership, volunteers and staff, the Chamber will move forward on the road to success-success for its member companies and for itself: what is, and has been, the leading U.S. business organization outside the United States for more than 85 years," said Callahan.

Matthew Brayman is editor of BUSINESS MEXICO.